Board Game Using Indicator Cube Having Hierarchical Symbols

ABSTRACT

A board game is described that is playable with a game board, game pieces, and one or more indicator cubes configured with three hierarchical symbols. An example method for playing the game may include players taking turns as attackers and defenders where an attacker rolls an indicator cube to indicate a hierarchical symbol used to determine a direction of movement of an attacker game piece. A defender rolls an indicator cube to indicate a hierarchical symbol that determines a hierarchical strength of a defender game piece when the attacker game piece is within a specified proximity of the defender game piece. And the attacker rolls an indicator cube to indicate a hierarchical symbol that determines a hierarchical strength of the attacker game piece. The defender game piece is captured when the hierarchical strength of the attacker game piece is stronger than the hierarchical strength of the defender game piece.

RELATED APPLICATION

This application claims priority to U.S. Provisional Application No.62/395,006, filed Sep. 15, 2016 which is incorporated herein byreference.

BACKGROUND

There are a number of games that incorporate playing apparatus which canbe employed by players in a contest to win a game. One type of gameemploys a plurality of game pieces that can be moved in restricteddirections according to a roll of dice in order to capture opposing gamepieces according to strengths assigned to the game pieces. For example,the strength of a first game piece may be stronger than the strength ofa second game piece resulting in the capture of the second game piece.Players may in turn attempt to capture an opponent's game pieces and theplayer that is able to capture a specified portion of an opponent's gamepieces may win the game.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIGS. 1A-C illustrate example game boards having a plurality ofhexagonally shaped spaces and game pieces arranged in rows and columnson a surface of the game boards in accordance with an embodiment of thepresent disclosure.

FIG. 2 is a schematic view depicting an example indicator cube for usein a board game in accordance with an embodiment of the presentdisclosure.

FIG. 3 is a flow diagram that illustrates one example method for playingthe board game in accordance with an embodiment of the presentdisclosure.

FIG. 4 is a flow diagram illustrating another example method for playingthe board game in accordance with an embodiment of the presentdisclosure.

FIG. 5 is a flow diagram that illustrates another example method forplaying the board game in accordance with an embodiment of the presentdisclosure.

FIGS. 6A-E illustrate example game boards showing placements of gamepieces on the game boards to form game board patterns in accordance withan embodiment of the present disclosure.

FIG. 7 is a flow diagram illustrating another example method for playingthe board game in accordance with an embodiment of the presentdisclosure.

FIG. 8 is a block diagram that illustrates an example of a computingdevice that can be used to electronically implement the board game inaccordance with an embodiment of the present disclosure.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

A game is described, and more particularly to a game in which a gameboard, one or more dice, and a plurality of game pieces are utilized byeach side, such that rolling the dice, in turn, indicates a hierarchicalsymbol that determines game play. In one example, the game can include:a game board, game pieces, and one or more indicator cubes (dice). Thegame board may comprise a plurality of hexagonally shaped spacesarranged in rows and columns on a surface of the game board indicating afirst side and an opposing side. The game pieces may be configured forplacement on the hexagonally shaped spaces of the game board. The gamepieces can comprise two groups of game pieces that are distinguishablydifferent from one another. The two groups of game pieces may containthe same number of game pieces. The dice may include one of threehierarchical symbols on each face of a die, where the hierarchicalsymbol on a face of the dice corresponds to the hierarchical symbol onan opposing face of the dice.

In one example, the game may be played by arranging the game pieces onthe game board so that a first group of game pieces is placed on a firstside of the game board and a second group of game pieces is placed on anopposing side of the game board. A first player (a defender) rolls inturn a die to determine a hierarchical strength of the defender gamepieces. A second player (an attacker) rolls in turn both dice. Theattacker may decide which of the two dice will be used to determine adirection of movement of an attacker game piece (e.g., forward right,forward straight, or forward left) and a hierarchical strength of theattacker game piece. When the attacker game piece is within a specifiedproximity of the defender game piece, a defender game piece can becaptured when a hierarchical strength of the attacker game piece isstronger than the hierarchical strength of the defender game piece.

Players may switch roles (i.e., attacker and defender) when the attackerfails to capture one of the defender's game pieces. The game ends when aspecified number of hexagonally shaped spaces of a base row of theopposing side are occupied by opposing game pieces, or a specifiednumber of game pieces have been captured by the opposing game pieces.

To more clearly describe the game, examples are now provided withreference to the figures. Accordingly, FIG. 1A illustrates an examplegame board 100 having a plurality of hexagonally shaped spaces 110arranged in rows and columns on a surface of the game board 100indicating a first side 115 and an opposing side 120. In the exampleconfiguration illustrated, the game board 100 may be configured to havea portrait orientation respective to the first side 115 and the opposingside 120, and the game board 100 may comprise a grid of nine rows andsix columns of adjoining hexagonally shaped spaces 110. The hexagonallyshaped spaces 110 can be arranged on the game board 100 so that thecolumns are offset from one another. Alternatively, the hexagonallyshaped spaces 110 can be arranged on the game board 100 so that the rowsare offset from one another. A row 105 bordering the first side 115 maybe designated a first player's base row, and a row 125 bordering thesecond side 120 may be designated a second player's base row.

The game may include a number of game pieces 130 configured forplacement on the hexagonally shaped spaces 110 of the game board 100. Inone example configuration, the game pieces 130 may include two groups ofgame pieces that are distinguishably different from one another. Forexample, the two groups of game pieces may be of different colors orshapes, or the game pieces 130 in each group may have markings thatdistinguish the two groups of game pieces. As one example, the gamepieces 130 may be disk shaped and may be evenly divided into two groupswhere the first group is a first color and the second group is a secondcolor.

The two groups of game pieces may contain a same number of game pieces130. In the example illustrated, each of the group of game piecesincludes eighteen game pieces 130 (thirty-six game pieces 130 total),although, as will be appreciated, the groups of game pieces may containmore or less game pieces 130. In the example that the game board 100 isconfigured to accommodate more than two players, additional groups ofdistinguishable game pieces may be provided.

In one example, the game pieces 130 may be arranged in startingpositions on the first side 115 and the second side 120 of the gameboard 100, such that one of the two groups of game pieces may beassigned to the first side 115 of the game board 100, and a second ofthe two groups of game pieces may be assigned to the second side 120 ofthe game board 100. Each game piece 130 may occupy a hexagonally shapedspace 110 on the game board 100.

In one example, the starting position for the game pieces 130 at thecommencement of the game may include one or more rows located on thefirst side 115 and one or more rows located on the second side 120.Namely, the first group of game pieces may be placed on one or more rowson the first side 115 of the game board 100 and the second group of gamepieces may be placed on the second side 120 of the game board 100. Inthe example illustrated in FIG. 1, the starting position of a firstgroup of game pieces and a second group of game pieces each havingeighteen game pieces 130 may be on the first three rows on the firstside 115 and the second side 120 of the game board 100. Examples forplaying the board game are provided later in association with FIG. 3 andFIG. 5.

FIG. 1B illustrates an example game board 150 for use by three players.As will be appreciated, other configurations of the game boards 100/150are within the scope of this disclosure. For example, the game boards100/150 may include any combination and number of rows and columns, andmay include other shapes that are arranged in various combinations andnumbers of rows and columns.

FIG. 1C illustrates an example game board 160 having a plurality ofhexagonally shaped spaces 110 arranged in rows and columns on a surfaceof the game board 100 where each hexagonally shaped space includes anumerical value. In one example, the numerical values displayed in thehexagonally shaped spaces can be used to calculate player points thatare accumulated during the course of game play. As illustrated, thehexagonally shaped spaces of the game board can each be assigned one ofa range of numerical values (e.g., 1-5). However, as will beappreciated, other ranges of numerical values can be assigned to one ormore hexagonally shaped spaces of the game board, such that some of thehexagonally shaped spaces may be assigned a numerical value while otherhexagonally shaped spaces may not be assigned a numerical value.

Player points can be accumulated during the course of game play byadding the numerical value assigned to a hexagonally shaped space to aplayers point total. For example, in placing a player's game piece on ahexagonally shaped space, a numerical value assigned to the hexagonallyshaped space can be added to the player's point total. For example, aplayer may begin a game with zero points and for each move that placesthe player's game piece on a hexagonally shaped space having a numericalvalue, the numerical value can be added to the player's point total.

In one example, a numerical value assigned to a hexagonally shaped spacecan be increased (e.g., doubled, tripled, etc.) based on a type of movemade by a player. For example, a numerical value of a hexagonally shapedspace can be doubled when a move results in capturing a defender's gamepiece, and the numerical value of the hexagonally shaped space can betripled when an attacker captures a defender's game piece from one ofthe hexagonally shaped spaces in the defender's base row (as illustratedin FIG. 1C as shaded grey spaces). As a non-limiting example, after amove, a player may get a number of points assigned to the hexagonallyshaped space where the player's game piece lands. If the move is acapturing move, the capturing player gets two times the value of thepoints assigned to the hexagonally shaped space. If the move is to theopponent's base row, the capturing player gets three times the value ofthe points assigned to the hexagonally shaped space. Although theexample game boards illustrated herein include hexagonally shapedspaces, it will be appreciated that a game board can include shapesother than the hexagonally shaped spaces shown in FIGS. 1A-C.

FIG. 2 illustrates an example die 200 (indicator cube) that may be usedby players to: determine which player starts the game; determine thedirection of movement of a game piece 130; and/or determine ahierarchical strength of a game piece 130. One or more dice 200 can beused to play the game. For example, a single die 200 can be sharedbetween players, or each player can be provided with one or more dice200. In one example, each player is provided with two dice 200, whereina first die 200 is rolled to determine a direction of movement for agame piece 130 and a second die 200 is rolled to determine ahierarchical symbol 204 a-b that is assigned a game piece 130 asdescribed below in association with FIG. 3.

The die 200 may have one of three hierarchical symbols 204 a-c on eachface 202 of the die 200, where the hierarchical symbol 204 a-c on a face202 of the die 200 corresponds to a hierarchical symbol 204 a-c on anopposing face of the die 200. For example, a hierarchical symbol “rock”on a first face may correspond to the same hierarchical symbol “rock” onan opposing face.

Each hierarchical symbol 204 a-c may be assigned a hierarchical strengththat is stronger or weaker as compared to a hierarchical strength ofanother hierarchical symbol 204 a-c. For example, as illustrated,hierarchical symbols 204 a-c on the faces 202 of the die 200 may include“rock”, “paper”, and “scissor” symbols where “rock” may have ahierarchical strength that is greater than “scissors”, “paper” may havea hierarchical strength that is greater than “rock”, and “scissors” mayhave a hierarchical strength that is greater than “paper”. As will beappreciated, the die 200 may include hierarchical symbols other thanthose shown in FIG. 2.

FIG. 3 is a flow diagram illustrating one example method 300 for playingthe board game. The game may start, as in block 302, by players eachrolling a die to determine which player will be an attacker and whichplayer will be a defender. The player that rolls the die with ahierarchical symbol having the greatest hierarchical strength wins theroll and may choose whether to be the attacker or the defender. In thecase of a tie, the players may roll again. Game pieces associated withthe player designated as the attacker are referred to herein as attackergame pieces, and game pieces associated with the player designated asthe defender are referred to herein as defender game pieces.

In a three player version example, a first player may challenge a secondplayer to the first player's right, each rolling one die with the playerlosing the roll being eliminated and the winning player challenging athird player. That is, the winning player and the third player each rollone die, with the player losing the roll being eliminated. The winningplayer may start the game as the attacker.

As in block 304, the player designated as the attacker may roll the dieto determine a direction of movement of an attacker game piece. Morespecifically, the hierarchical symbol indicated by the die may determinethe direction of a game piece selected by the attacker. For example, afirst hierarchical symbol may indicate that a game piece may be movedright, a second hierarchical symbol may indicate that the game piece maybe moved straight, and a third hierarchical symbol may indicate that thegame piece may be moved left. As one example, the hierarchical symbols:“rock” may indicate right; “paper” may indicate left; and “scissors” mayindicate straight. In any case, the game piece may be moved one or twounoccupied adjacent spaces forward according to the direction indicatedby the hierarchical symbol on the die.

The player designated as the attacker may select one of the player'sgame pieces and move the game piece to an unoccupied adjacent spaceaccording to the direction indicated by the hierarchical symbol on thedie. As in block 306, if an attacker game piece is within two adjacentspaces of a defender game piece, then as in block 308, the playerdesignated as the defender may roll the die to determine a hierarchicalstrength of the defender game piece, otherwise as in block 314 theplayers switch attacker/defender roles and the game continues.

In one example, an attacker may roll two dice, one die to determine adirection of movement of an attacker game piece, and a second die todetermine a hierarchical strength of the attacker game piece. Theattacker may select which die is used to determine the direction ofmovement of the attacker game piece and which die is used to determinethe hierarchical strength of the attacker game piece. In the case thatnone of the attacker game pieces are within two spaces of a defendergame piece, the attacker may select the hierarchical symbol of eitherdie to determine the direction of movement of an attacker game piece.

After the defender game piece that is within two spaces of the attackergame piece has been assigned a hierarchical strength via the defenderrolling the die to determine the hierarchical strength, then as in block310, the attacker may roll the die to determine the hierarchicalstrength of the attacker game piece (if not already determined by theattacker using two dice as explained above). In the example where twodice are used by the attacker, the attacker may select the hierarchicalsymbol of either die to determine the hierarchical strength of theattacker game piece when the attacker game piece is in a space directlyadjacent to the defender game piece and therefore cannot be movedforward.

As in block 312, if the hierarchical strength of the attacker game pieceis greater than that of the hierarchical strength of the defender gamepiece, then as in block 316, the attacker captures the defender gamepiece. As an example, an attacker game piece assigned “rock” may have agreater hierarchical strength than that of a defender game pieceassigned “scissors” and may therefore capture the defender game piece.In capturing a defender game piece, the defender game piece may beremoved from the game board and the attacker game piece may be moved tothe space formally occupied by the defender game piece. After capturinga defender game piece, the attacker may continue to take turns until theattacker fails to capture a defender game piece, or as in block 318, thegame objective has been obtained.

As in block 312, if the defender game piece has a hierarchical strengththat is greater than that of the hierarchical strength of the attackergame piece, then as in block 314, the players switch attacker/defenderroles and the game continues until the game objective is obtained by oneof the players. As an example, a defender game piece assigned “scissors”may have a greater hierarchical strength than that of an attacker gamepiece assigned “paper” and may therefore survive the attack of theattacker game piece and the players may switch roles. In one example, inthe case that the attacker game piece is adjacent to a defender gamepiece and the defender game piece has hierarchical strength that isgreater than that of the hierarchical strength of the attacker gamepiece, the defender game piece may capture the attacker game piece,which is then removed from the game board and the defender game piecemay be moved to the space occupied by the captured attacker game piece.

In a three player version example, if an attacker is unable to attack anopposing player's game piece or chooses to move without attacking, themove rules described above may be used, where a player to the right ofthe attacker may assume the attacker role after the move. If theattacker is able to attack an opposing player's game piece and choosesto attack, the attacker will announce their intention to the player theyare attacking. At this point the rules described above may be used. Ifthe attacker fails to capture a game piece during an attack, the playerto the right of the attacker assumes the attacker role.

In one example, the game may end when a specified number of hexagonallyshaped spaces of a player's base row are occupied by opposing gamepieces, or a specified number of game pieces have been captured by oneof the players. In one example where the game board illustrated in FIG.1 is used, a player may win the game when the player's game piecesoccupy six spaces located in the opposing player's base row. In anotherexample where thirty-six game pieces are used (eighteen game pieces perplayer), a player may win by capturing all but five of the opposingplayer's game pieces. In a three player version example, the game endswhen a first player places each of their uncaptured game pieces on thehexagonally shaped spaces of one or both of the opposing players' baserows.

FIG. 4 is a flow diagram illustrating another example method 400 forplaying the board game. As in block 402, a game board may be providedthat includes a plurality of hexagonally shaped spaces arranged in rowsand columns on a surface of the game board indicating a first side andan opposing side. In one example, the game board may be configured tohave a portrait orientation respective to the first side and theopposing side and may contain nine rows and six columns. The first sideand the opposing side may have base rows in which the plurality of gamepieces may be initially arranged. Further, the plurality of hexagonallyshaped spaces on the surface of the game board may be hexagonally shapedspaces that adjoin one another.

As in block 404, game pieces configured for placement on the hexagonallyshaped spaces of the game board may be provided, where the game piecesmay comprise two groups of game pieces that are distinguishablydifferent from one another, and the two groups of game pieces maycontain a same number of game pieces. In one example, the game piecesmay comprise thirty-six disk shaped game pieces that are evenly dividedinto the two groups of game pieces, wherein one of the two groups ofgame pieces may be a first color and a second of the two groups of gamepieces may be a second color.

As in block 406, at least one indicator cube may be provided that hasone of three hierarchical symbols on each face of the at least oneindicator cube, where the hierarchical symbol on a face of the at leastone indicator cube corresponds to the hierarchical symbol on an opposingface of the at least one indicator cube. In one example, two indicatorcubes may be assigned to each player, where each indicator cube has arock symbol, a paper symbol, and a scissors symbol on one of three facesthat correspond to a matching rock symbol, paper symbol, and scissorssymbol on one of three opposing faces.

As in block 408, the game pieces may be arranged on the first side andthe opposing side of the game board, wherein one of the two groups ofgame pieces may be assigned to the first side of the game board and asecond of the two groups of game pieces may be assigned to the opposingside of the game board, such that the game pieces occupy a hexagonallyshaped space on the game board. In one example, the game may be startedby rolling the at least one indicator cube by each player to determine aplayer to start the game. For example, the player that rolls ahierarchical symbol having the strongest hierarchical strength maychoose to be the attacker or the defender. The player designated theattacker may start the game.

As in block 410, the at least one indicator cube may be rolled, in turn,to indicate a hierarchical symbol that determines a direction ofmovement of an attacker game piece. In one example, the direction ofmovement of an attacker game piece may be right, left, or forward asdetermined by one of the three hierarchical symbols indicated by theroll of the at least one indicator cube.

As in block 412, the at least one indicator cube may be rolled, in turn,to indicate a hierarchical symbol that determines a hierarchicalstrength of a defender game piece when the attacker game piece is withina specified proximity of the defender game piece. In one example, thespecified proximity of the attacker game piece to the defender gamepiece may be within two of the hexagonally shaped spaces.

As in block 414, the at least one indicator cube may be rolled, in turn,to indicate a hierarchical symbol that determines a hierarchicalstrength of the attacker game piece. A defender game piece may becaptured when the hierarchical strength of the attacker game piece isstronger than the hierarchical strength of the defender game piece. Incapturing a defender game piece, the defender game piece may be removedfrom the game board and the attacker game piece may be placed in thehexagonally shaped space previously occupied by the defender game piece.

In one example, the game may end when a specified number of hexagonallyshaped spaces of a base row of the first side or the opposing side areoccupied by opposing game pieces, or a specified number of game pieceshave been captured by the opposing game pieces. In another example, thegame may end when all opposing game pieces have been captured, or when astalemate occurs.

FIG. 5 is a flow diagram illustrating another example method 500 forplaying the board game that includes placing game pieces on hexagonallyshaped spaces that form a game board pattern on a game board (e.g.,pattern challenge). Examples of game board patterns that can be formedby placing game pieces on hexagonally shaped spaces on a game board areshown in FIGS. 6A-E. Game board patterns other than those shown in FIGS.6A-E can also be used.

In one example, players can start a game by selecting a game boardpattern to construct using their game pieces on the hexagonally shapedspaces of the game board, as in block 502. In another example, a gameboard pattern may be predetermined. After selecting the game boardpattern, the players roll a die to determine who will start the game.That is, the roll determines which player will place the first gamepiece on a hexagonally shaped space, starting the game board pattern.

The players may use a die having hierarchal symbols on the faces of thedie. For example, one or more die similar to that shown in FIG. 2 can beused. In rolling the die, a player that rolls a hierarchical symbolhaving the strongest hierarchical strength wins the roll and starts thegame. The game pieces include one of the hierarchical symbols on atleast one face of the game pieces. For example, as shown in FIG. 6, gamepieces can include a rock symbol, paper symbol, or scissors symbol. Aplayer selects a game piece that has a hierarchical symbol thatcorresponds to the hierarchal symbol rolled by the player. For example,where a roll of the die results in a scissors symbol, the player selectsa game piece that has the scissors symbol on a face of the game piece.

Thereafter, as in block 504, the players roll (in turn) a die todetermine which player will place a game piece on the game board. Theplayer that won the roll, as in block 506, selects a hexagonally shapedspace included in the game board pattern to place a game piece that hasa hierarchical symbol that corresponds to the hierarchical symbol rolledby the player. As in block 508, in the case that the hexagonally shapedspace selected by the player is occupied by an opponent's game piece, adetermination is made whether the opponent's game piece is stronger thanthe player's game piece, as in block 510. That is, a determination ismade whether the hierarchical symbol on the player's game piece isstronger than the hierarchical symbol of the opponent's game piece. Inthe case that the player's game piece is stronger than the opponent'sgame piece, then as in block 512, the opponent's game piece is replacedwith the player's game piece. However, in the case that the hierarchicalsymbol on the opponent's game piece is weaker than the hierarchicalsymbol on the player's game piece, the player selects a differenthexagonally shaped space.

As in block 514, in the case that the player selects a hexagonallyshaped space that is adjacent to a hexagonally shaped space occupied bya opponent's game piece, a determination whether the player's game pieceis stronger than the opponent's game piece is made, as in block 510,whereupon the player's game piece can replace the opponent's game pieceif the player's game piece is stronger than the opponent's game piece.

After completing a turn, as in block 516, a determination whether a gameobjective has been obtained is made. In one example, the game objectivecomprises placing a number of the player's game pieces adjacent to oneanother in hexagonally shaped spaces that form the game board pattern.For example, after a player has three adjacent game pieces in a rowwithin hexagonally shaped spaces that form the game board pattern, theplayer has won the game. As an option, the winning player can add up thevalue of numbered spaces (as shown in FIG. 1C) occupied by their gamepieces and keep track of points for multiple game totals. In oneexample, a player can be awarded two times the points of the value ofthe numbered spaces for capturing an opponent's game piece, and threetimes the points of the value of the numbered spaces for completing thepattern.

FIG. 7 is a flow diagram illustrating an example method 700 for playingthe board game. As in block 702, a game board can be provided that hashexagonally shaped spaces arranged in rows and columns on a surface ofthe game board indicating a first side and an opposing side. As in block704, game pieces can be provided that are configured for placement onthe hexagonally shaped spaces of the game board, the game pieces havingone of three hierarchical symbols on a game piece face. As in block 706,at least one indicator cube can be provided that has one of the threehierarchical symbols on each face of the at least one indicator cube,where the hierarchical symbol on a face of the at least one indicatorcube corresponds to the hierarchical symbol on an opposing face of theat least one indicator cube.

As in block 708, each player rolls the at least one indicator cube todetermine a winning player who rolls the at least one indicator cube toindicate the hierarchical symbol having the strongest hierarchicalstrength.

As in block 710, the winning player selects a hexagonally shaped spaceincluded in a plurality of hexagonally shaped spaces that together forma predetermined pattern on the game board for a game piece to occupy,wherein the game piece has the hierarchical symbol having the strongesthierarchical strength on the game piece face. In selecting thehexagonally shaped space, the winning player can select an emptyhexagonally shaped space, replace an opponent game piece occupying thehexagonally shaped space on the game board with the game piece, orreplace an opponent game piece occupying an adjacent hexagonally shapedspace on the game board with the game piece; wherein the game piece hasa hierarchical symbol having a stronger hierarchical strength than thehierarchical symbol of the opponent game piece.

After the winning player selects a hexagonally shaped space, as in block712, a determination whether a specified number of the plurality ofhexagonally shaped spaces that together form the predetermined patternare occupied by the winning player is made. In the case that thespecified number of hexagonally shaped spaces are occupied by thewinning player, the game is won, thereby ending the game. In the casethat the game is not won, the players again roll the at least oneindicator cube as in block 708.

As will be appreciated, the board game can be implemented on a computingdevice having at least one processor and memory device, such that thememory device may be configured with instructions that execute the gameand cause game components to be displayed to a display or screen. FIG. 8illustrates a computing device 810 on which modules of the game mayexecute. A computing device 810 is illustrated on which the game may beexecuted. The computing device 810 may include one or more processors812 that are in communication with memory devices 820. The computingdevice 810 may include a local communication interface 818 for thecomponents in the computing device. For example, the local communicationinterface 818 may be a local data bus and/or any related address orcontrol busses as may be desired.

The memory device 820 may contain modules 824 that are executable by theprocessor(s) 812 and data for the modules 824. For example, the memorydevice 820 may include a game module, and other modules. The modules 824may execute the game described earlier. A data store 822 may also belocated in the memory device 820 for storing data related to the modules824 and other applications along with an operating system that isexecutable by the processor(s) 812. Components or modules discussed inthis description that may be implemented in the form of software usinghigh programming level languages that are compiled, interpreted orexecuted using a hybrid of the methods.

The computing device may also have access to I/O (input/output) devices814 that are usable by the computing devices. One example of an I/Odevice is a display 830 configured to display game output. Networkingdevices 816 and similar communication devices may be included in thecomputing device. The networking devices 816 may be wired or wirelessnetworking devices that connect to the internet, a LAN, WAN, or othercomputing network.

The components or modules that are shown as being stored in the memorydevice 820 may be executed by the processor(s) 812. The term“executable” may mean a program file that is in a form that may beexecuted by a processor 812. For example, a program in a higher-levellanguage may be compiled into machine code in a format that may beloaded into a random access portion of the memory device 820 andexecuted by the processor 812, or source code may be loaded by anotherexecutable program and interpreted to generate instructions in a randomaccess portion of the memory to be executed by a processor. Theexecutable program may be stored in any portion or component of thememory device 820. For example, the memory device 820 may be randomaccess memory (RAM), read only memory (ROM), flash memory, a solid statedrive, memory card, a hard drive, optical disk, floppy disk, magnetictape, or any other memory components.

The processor 812 may represent multiple processors and the memorydevice 820 may represent multiple memory units that operate in parallelto the processing circuits. This may provide parallel processingchannels for the processes and data in the system. The local interface818 may be used as a network to facilitate communication between any ofthe multiple processors and multiple memories. The local interface 818may use additional systems designed for coordinating communication suchas load balancing, bulk data transfer and similar systems.

While the flowcharts presented for this technology may imply a specificorder of execution, the order of execution may differ from what isillustrated. For example, the order of two more blocks may be rearrangedrelative to the order shown. Further, two or more blocks shown insuccession may be executed in parallel or with partial parallelization.In some configurations, one or more blocks shown in the flow chart maybe omitted or skipped. Any number of counters, state variables, warningsemaphores, or messages might be added to the logical flow for purposesof enhanced utility, accounting, performance, measurement,troubleshooting or for similar reasons.

The game described here may also be stored on a computer readablestorage medium that includes volatile and non-volatile, removable andnon-removable media implemented with any technology for the storage ofinformation such as computer readable instructions, data structures,program modules, or other data. Computer readable storage media include,but is not limited to, non-transitory media such as RAM, ROM, EEPROM,flash memory or other memory technology, CD-ROM, digital versatile disks(DVD) or other optical storage, magnetic cassettes, magnetic tapes,magnetic disk storage or other magnetic storage devices, or any othercomputer storage medium which may be used to store the desiredinformation and described technology.

Reference was made to the examples illustrated in the drawings andspecific language was used herein to describe the same. It willnevertheless be understood that no limitation of the scope of thetechnology is thereby intended. Alterations and further modifications ofthe features illustrated herein and additional applications of theexamples as illustrated herein are to be considered within the scope ofthe description.

Furthermore, the described features, structures, or characteristics maybe combined in any suitable manner in one or more examples. In thepreceding description, numerous specific details were provided, such asexamples of various configurations to provide a thorough understandingof examples of the described game.

Those skilled in the art to which the present invention pertains maymake modifications resulting in other embodiments employing principlesof the present invention without departing from its spirit orcharacteristics, particularly upon considering the foregoing teachings.Accordingly, the described embodiments are to be considered in allrespects only as illustrative, and not restrictive, and the scope of thepresent invention is, therefore, indicated by the appended claims ratherthan by the foregoing description or drawings. Consequently, while thepresent invention has been described with reference to particularembodiments, modifications of structure, sequence, materials and thelike apparent to those skilled in the art still fall within the scope ofthe invention as claimed.

What is claimed is:
 1. A game comprising: a game board having aplurality of hexagonally shaped spaces arranged in rows and columns on asurface of the game board indicating a first side and an opposing side;a plurality of game pieces configured for placement on the hexagonallyshaped spaces of the game board, the plurality of game pieces comprisingtwo groups of game pieces that are distinguishably different from oneanother, and the two groups of game pieces containing a same number ofgame pieces; at least one indicator cube having one of threehierarchical symbols on each face of the at least one indicator cube,where the hierarchical symbol on a face corresponds to the hierarchicalsymbol on an opposing face of the at least one indicator cube; andwherein the plurality of game pieces are arranged on the game board onthe first side and the opposing side where each game piece included inone of the two groups of game pieces occupies a hexagonally shaped spaceon the first side or the opposing side, movement of the game pieces isdetermined by the hierarchical symbol of the indicator cube following aroll of the at least one indicator cube, and capture of a defending gamepiece by an attacking game piece is determined by a first roll of the atleast one indicator cube by a defender that determines a firsthierarchical symbol that is assigned to the defending game piece and asecond roll of the at least one indicator cube by an attacker thatdetermines a second hierarchical symbol that is assigned to theattacking game piece and comparing the first hierarchical symbol withthe second hierarchical symbol to determine a winning hierarchicalsymbol.
 2. The game as in claim 1, wherein the hexagonally shaped spaceson the surface of the game board further comprise adjoining hexagonallyshaped spaces.
 3. The game as in claim 1, wherein the rows and columnson the surface of the game board further comprise nine rows and sixcolumns.
 4. The game as in claim 1, wherein the first side and theopposing side have base rows in which the plurality of game pieces areinitially arranged.
 5. The game as in claim 1, wherein the plurality ofhexagonally shaped spaces on the surface of the game board have variousspace values that are used to determine points awarded to a player. 6.The game as in claim 1, wherein the plurality of game pieces furthercomprise thirty-six disk shaped game pieces that are evenly divided intothe two groups of game pieces, wherein one of the two groups of gamepieces is a first color and a second of the two groups of game pieces isa second color.
 7. The game as in claim 1, wherein the at least oneindicator cube further comprises two indicator cubes assigned to eachplayer, where each indicator cube has a rock symbol, a paper symbol, anda scissors symbol on one of three faces that correspond to a matchingrock symbol, paper symbol, and scissors symbol on one of three opposingfaces.
 8. The game as in claim 1, wherein the game board furthercomprises a third side having the hexagonally shaped spaces arranged inthe rows and columns on the surface of the game board.
 9. A method forplaying a game, comprising: providing a game board having hexagonallyshaped spaces arranged in rows and columns on a surface of the gameboard indicating a first side and an opposing side; providing gamepieces configured for placement on the hexagonally shaped spaces of thegame board, the game pieces comprising two groups of game pieces thatare distinguishably different from one another, and the two groups ofgame pieces containing a same number of game pieces; providing at leastone indicator cube having one of three hierarchical symbols on each faceof an indicator cube, where the hierarchical symbol on a face of theindicator cube corresponds to the hierarchical symbol on an opposingface of the indicator cube; arranging the game pieces on the first sideand the opposing side of the game board, wherein one of the two groupsof game pieces is assigned to the first side of the game board and asecond of the two groups of game pieces is assigned to the opposing sideof the game board, such that the game pieces occupy one of thehexagonally shaped spaces on the game board; rolling, in turn, the atleast one indicator cube to indicate the hierarchical symbol thatdetermines a direction of movement of an attacker game piece; rolling,in turn, the at least one indicator cube to indicate the hierarchicalsymbol that determines a hierarchical strength of a defender game piecewhen the attacker game piece is within a specified proximity of thedefender game piece; and rolling, in turn, the at least one indicatorcube to indicate the hierarchical symbol that determines a hierarchicalstrength of the attacker game piece.
 10. The method for playing the gameas in claim 9, further comprising rolling the at least one indicatorcube by each player to determine a player to start the game, wherein theplayer that rolls the hierarchical symbol having the strongesthierarchical strength starts the game.
 11. The method for playing thegame as in claim 9, wherein the direction of movement of the attackergame piece is right, left, or forward as determined by one of the threehierarchical symbols indicated by the roll of the at least one indicatorcube.
 12. The method for playing the game as in claim 9, wherein thespecified proximity of the defender game piece to the attacker gamepiece is two of the hexagonally shaped spaces.
 13. The method forplaying the game as in claim 9, further comprising capturing thedefender game piece when the hierarchical strength of the attacker gamepiece is stronger than the hierarchical strength of the defender gamepiece.
 14. The method for playing the game as in claim 13, furthercomprising: removing the defender game piece from the game board; andplacing the attacker game piece in the hexagonally shaped spacepreviously occupied by the defender game piece.
 15. The method forplaying the game as in claim 9, further comprising accumulating playerpoints for each player according to space values assigned to thehexagonally shaped spaces.
 16. The method for playing the game as inclaim 9, further comprising ending the game when a specified number ofhexagonally shaped spaces of a base row of the first side or theopposing side are occupied by opposing game pieces, or a specifiednumber of game pieces have been captured by the opposing game pieces.17. A method for playing a game, comprising: providing a game boardhaving hexagonally shaped spaces arranged in rows and columns on asurface of the game board indicating a first side and an opposing side;providing game pieces configured for placement on the hexagonally shapedspaces of the game board, the game pieces having one of threehierarchical symbols on a game piece face; providing at least oneindicator cube having one of the three hierarchical symbols on each faceof the at least one indicator cube, where the hierarchical symbol on aface of the at least one indicator cube corresponds to the hierarchicalsymbol on an opposing face of the at least one indicator cube; rolling,by each player, the at least one indicator cube to determine a winningplayer who rolls the at least one indicator cube to indicate thehierarchical symbol having the strongest hierarchical strength;selecting, by the winning player, a hexagonally shaped space included ina plurality of hexagonally shaped spaces that together form apredetermined pattern on the game board for a game piece to occupy,wherein the game piece has the hierarchical symbol having the strongesthierarchical strength on the game piece face; and determining whether aspecified number of the plurality of hexagonally shaped spaces thattogether form the predetermined pattern are occupied by winning playergame pieces, thereby ending the game.
 18. The method for playing thegame as in claim 17, further comprising replacing an opponent game pieceoccupying the hexagonally shaped space on the game board with the gamepiece, wherein the game piece has the hierarchical symbol having astronger hierarchical strength than the hierarchical symbol of theopponent game piece.
 19. The method for playing the game as in claim 17,further comprising replacing an opponent game piece occupying anadjacent hexagonally shaped space on the game board with the game piece,wherein the game piece has the hierarchical symbol having a strongerhierarchical strength than the hierarchical symbol of the opponent gamepiece.
 20. The method for playing the game as in claim 17, furthercomprising accumulating player points for each player according to spacevalues assigned to the hexagonally shaped spaces on the game board.